DIY lintel installation above first-floor window – realistic for experienced DIYer?
- Thread starter fandyman
- Start date
It's possible to put a lintel in and keep the brick on edge course at the same height. One method is to cut some pistol bricks, which are lower at the back, but show a full stretcher face. Another method is to put a split under the lintel, one above and use coloured mortar to fill the joint between the 2.
Like this but the other way up.
www.forterra.co.uk
Like this but the other way up.
PS.2 Pistol Stretcher - Forterra
www.forterra.co.uk
Last edited:
It's possible to put a lintel in and keep the brick on edge course at the same height. One method is to cut some pistol bricks, which are lower at the back, but show a full stretcher face. Another method is to put a split under the lintel, one above and use coloured mortar to fill the joint between the 2.
Like this but the other way up.
PS.2 Pistol Stretcher - Forterra
I thought I'd invented that!
For the OP, there's a thread on here (I don't know how to link to it but can be found by searching "cut and cover soldier course" which details solutions including the split bricks etc.
It definitely needs rebuilding above the lintel, it would be a botch not to. Chop some of the soffit off if necessary, slice it out with a multi-tool. It looks like it's due for replacement at some point anyway, so a scar shouldn't matter.
I'd hope that the existing bricks could be re-used if removed carefully and the mortar's not too strong - the yellowy colour is promising.
But you're not going to get those fancy pistol bricks to match it, and the chances of a beginner crafting them with an angle grinder would be very slim.
I'd drop the lintel to the course below. Then cut new bricks to 140mm to make a soldier course that will take you up to align with the courses. If the soldiers weren't a perfect match it would look fine, like a deliberate feature. It's not ideal that the lintel would be on half-bricks but it's acceptable. Obviously the bricks above either side also need to come out to get the lintel in.
I'd hope that the existing bricks could be re-used if removed carefully and the mortar's not too strong - the yellowy colour is promising.
But you're not going to get those fancy pistol bricks to match it, and the chances of a beginner crafting them with an angle grinder would be very slim.
I'd drop the lintel to the course below. Then cut new bricks to 140mm to make a soldier course that will take you up to align with the courses. If the soldiers weren't a perfect match it would look fine, like a deliberate feature. It's not ideal that the lintel would be on half-bricks but it's acceptable. Obviously the bricks above either side also need to come out to get the lintel in.
Last edited:
We actually positioned it on top of the brick course to begin with. Then we realised the the other beam, T-boning it from the inside, would not fit between the flanges. We ended up lowering it, having already blocked up and repaired the inside masonry.
Tough job, especially all the propping on a three storey, zero access (terraced) jobby.
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